Overview
The connective ending V+(으)려고 is used to express the speaker's intention or purpose for performing the action described in the following clause. It signifies 'in order to' or 'with the intention of' doing something.
Usage
This ending clearly states the reason or goal behind the action in the main clause. The action in the V+(으)려고 clause is the objective that the subject aims to achieve.
It is primarily used with action verbs (동사) and cannot be attached to descriptive verbs (형용사) or '이다' (to be). The subject of both clauses is typically the same.
V+(으)려고 often precedes verbs of movement like 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), or verbs indicating an action taken towards a goal, such as 노력하다 (to try), 준비하다 (to prepare), etc. It cannot be used in imperative (명령문) or propositive (청유문) sentences in the main clause, as it reflects the speaker's own intention.
Conjugation Rules
- If the verb stem ends in a vowel or the consonant ㄹ: Attach -려고.
- Example: 가다 (to go) → 가려고, 만들다 (to make) → 만들려고
- If the verb stem ends in a consonant (other than ㄹ): Attach -으려고.
- Example: 먹다 (to eat) → 먹으려고, 찾다 (to find) → 찾으려고
- Irregular Verbs: Apply the irregularity first, then the rule.
- ㄷ irregular: 듣다 (to listen) → 들으려고
- ㅂ irregular: 돕다 (to help) → 도우려고
- ㅅ irregular: 낫다 (to get better) → 나으려고
Knowledge Plus
- Comparison with V+(으)러: While both express purpose, V+(으)러 is exclusively used with verbs of movement (가다, 오다, 다니다) and indicates going to do something. V+(으)려고 is broader and can be followed by various verbs, indicating an action taken in order to achieve the intention.
- Comparison with V-기 위해(서): V-기 위해(서) is generally more formal and emphasizes the goal or sake of an action, often for more significant or long-term purposes. V+(으)려고 is more common in everyday conversation and focuses on the speaker's immediate or personal intention.
- Cannot be used with past or future tense: The tense is expressed in the main clause, not in the V+(으)려고 clause (e.g., 먹었으려고 (X), 먹겠으려고 (X)).
- Shortened form: In informal speech or specific constructions (e.g., -(으)려는데, -(으)려면), -(으)려고 can be shortened to -(으)려.